Professional Ethics and Multicultural Competence Flashcards

A therapist's client discloses they are undocumented and expresses fear that information about their immigration status could be reported. The ethical response is:

Answer: Clarify that immigration status is protected under confidentiality and does not constitute a mandated reporting situation

Immigration status is protected confidential information; therapists have no legal duty to report it, and disclosing it could cause serious harm to the client.

The ethical principle of justice in mental health practice requires therapists to:

Answer: Ensure fair and equitable access to services and adapt practice to reduce disparities in care

Justice requires fair treatment and equitable access, which often means adapting services to meet diverse clients' needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

A therapist learns that a former client has written a positive review online about the therapy. The most ethically appropriate action is to:

Answer: Take no action that would acknowledge the client's identity online, to protect confidentiality

Engaging with a client's online review in any way that acknowledges the therapeutic relationship breaches confidentiality; the therapist should not respond to or engage with the review.

When adapting CBT for a Muslim client who observes Ramadan, the culturally competent therapist should:

Answer: Discuss how fasting and religious observance affect mood, energy, and scheduling, and adjust session timing accordingly

Culturally competent CBT involves discussing how religious practices affect daily functioning and collaboratively adjusting the treatment schedule to respect and accommodate observance.

A CBT therapist who suspects a colleague is practicing while impaired by substance use should FIRST:

Answer: Address the concern directly with the colleague if safe to do so, and consult ethics guidelines or a supervisor for next steps

Ethics codes generally recommend addressing concerns about colleague impairment by speaking directly with the colleague first when feasible, then escalating to supervisory or regulatory channels if needed.

A therapist uses a validated CBT protocol for depression but the client, who is Korean American, reports that the homework assignments feel inappropriate given family obligations and collectivist values. The most ethical and competent response is to:

Answer: Collaboratively modify homework assignments to align with the client's collectivist values while preserving the core therapeutic principles

Evidence-based practice includes adapting techniques to cultural contexts; collaboratively modifying homework while maintaining core CBT principles reflects both clinical and ethical competence.

Which of the following best describes the ethical obligation of 'veracity' (truthfulness) in the therapeutic relationship?

Answer: Being honest with clients about the nature of treatment, limitations of the therapist's competence, and likely outcomes

Veracity requires honest communication about treatment, its limitations, and realistic expectations—not full disclosure of all clinical thinking or therapist personal opinions.